Somebody Worth Killing

by Jessica Payne

Meet Nadia Davis, a doting mom and loving wife who has a big secret: she’s actually an assassin. And she really needs a babysitter who shows up on time.

Nadia Davis is living the dream as a successful working mom with a career she loves, two adorable little girls, and a devoted husband who has no idea that she’s secretly a hired assassin and psychopath who kills certified bad guys. So when Nadia finds out she’s been “mommy tracked” by her assassin’s agency and is no longer getting the bigger, more exciting jobs, she demands an important mark…somebody worth killing.

But it turns out that big kill is the last person she expects—her husband. How is the sweet, kind, teller-of-dad jokes she’s promised her life to an evil villain who needs exterminating? Has their whole life together been a lie? Now Nadia must choose between the two things she loves most in life, the career that keeps her sane or the family she thought she knew.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Psychological Thriller, Crime

304 pages, Hardcover

First published June 16, 2026

About the author

Jessica Payne lives in Washington State with her daughter and husband and an internet search history that would raise eyebrows. A firm believer in strong coffee and stronger women, she writes about mothers who know how to handle a sniper rifle and a carpool schedule with equal precision. When she's not writing, you'll find her trail running through the forests of the Pacific Northwest as she plots her next fictional murder. She is the creator of the Substack community One Tired Mother.

Her next novel, Somebody Worth Killing, is coming from Berkley/PRH in June 2026 and is available for pre-order.

Her other novels include Make Me Disappear, The Lucky One, The Good Doctor, and Never Trust the Husband.

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ★

Nadia is such a memorable character, and this was such an addictive, fast-paced read.

I’m SO happy it’s getting a sequel!

In Somebody Worth Killing, Nadia Davis appears to have the perfect life as a wife, mother, and successful career woman but she’s secretly a professional assassin. When her next assigned target turns out to be her own husband, she’s forced to uncover his secrets while deciding between the family she loves and the career she’s built.

While assassin thrillers are typically not the type of thriller I gravitate toward, the premise of this one immediately caught my interest. Similar to First Lie Wins and My Lovely Wife, this story has a strong family and relationship element that makes it much more than simple action and targets. I’m so happy it worked for me as much as I hoped, if not more.

I found Nadia to be the perfect protagonist for this type of thriller. She is a strong, dedicated mother but also a psychopath who channels those urges to kill by working as an assassin who targets people that truly deserve it.

On top of Nadia, a lot of the other characters were equally interesting and complicated. Most of them are neither fully good or fully bad, which is something I always love in the thrillers I read.

My biggest fear with assassin thrillers is that they will be too action-heavy, and I generally don’t enjoy thrillers that focus on nonstop action. This one had the perfect balance.

Nadia is deeply dedicated to both her family and her job, so you really see the importance she places on each. I also liked that many of the assassin scenes focused more on gathering information, planning, and quietly blending in rather than constant shootouts and action sequences. That fit my reading tastes much better.

On top of everything happening throughout the story, I also found myself feeling a wide range of emotions and even laughing at parts. I don’t typically laugh while reading thrillers, but there were moments that were genuinely funny.

The ending revealed enough to leave me satisfied while still making me NEED to read the sequel when it comes out next year.

This wasn’t a 5 star read for me because, while I really enjoyed it, it felt more like a fun and entertaining thriller than one that left a lasting impact on me. That said, I still had a great time reading it.

I definitely recommend checking this one out if you enjoy assassin thrillers or want to try something new that doesn’t stray too far from the typical psychological thriller.

Thank you to Jessica Payne for sending me a copy of this thriller. As always, this review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

—

Follow my Bookstagram and BookTok for all things mystery, thriller, and horror novels!

instagram.com/joshxreads
tiktok.com/@joshxreads

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.35⭐
Genre ~ contemporary women's fiction, domestic fiction
Setting ~ Texas
Publication date ~ June 16, 2026
Publisher ~ Berkley
Est Page Count ~ 297 (56 chapters)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 14 minutes
Narrator ~ Patti Murin
POV ~ single 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ grandparent with dementia

Nadia is our professional assassin, but she's also a great wife and mom to 2 adorable girls. Tired of just doing small, easy hits she's ready to branch out and asks her handler for a big job. She's thrilled until she finds out the big fish is her husband, Brian, and she's offered a pretty penny to end his life.

But why would there be a hit on her dotting and perfect husband? Does she really not know the person she has been spending the last decade with? Well I suppose she has secrets, so it's quite possible he does, too. With the help from a fellow assassin friend she'll soon find out what the old hubsters been hiding.

Y'all this was great! It was fast paced, just how I like 'em. I was fully engaged throughout and couldn't wait to find out the hub's fate. Also, loved her relationship with her grandma. It was sweet and sad, and intriguing. I'm so hoping for a sequel because there's definitely more to the story and I want it ASAP!


Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the above info for reference.


Thanks Berkley for the ARC!

[꧁ ༺Minne༻ ꧂ (Slow - moving to a city I hate T T) · Rating 3 out of 5]

★ ★ ★1/2

Well, that was… something.

There’s no way to soft launch this one, so here goes.

Meet Nadia, a high-functioning psychopath who satisfies her urge to kill by working as an assassin. Her morals are rooted in vigilantism: she only kills bad people, so in her mind she isn't a serial killer. She's providing a service, getting filth off the streets. The first man she kills is her friend’s college boyfriend. His crime? He hit her. At this point, it's clear we're not doing any of that "let the punishment fit the crime" nonsense. No second chances, no apologies, no do-overs. You step wrong, you die. But let's not dwell on what makes her qualified to decide who deserves to live or die because that’s a whole other can of warms.

To everyone else, Nadia is a loving wife to Brian, a mother of two girls, and a businesswoman. Her domestic life serves as the perfect cover for her extracurricular activities. Though she genuinely loves her ordinary life, she also needs to be an assassin to sustain it. She needs to kill to keep the monster at bay and appear normal. It's a fascinating contradiction. I still can’t decide if I liked being in her head or not because she is uniquely and spectacularly messed up. She's narcissistic, manipulative, and more than a little megalomaniacal, appointing herself judge, jury, and executioner. Woe is me because I think she’s sweet too.

When Nadia realises she's probably hit the proverbial “glass ceiling” and is being passed over for jobs because she's a wife and mother, she pushes back and lands a high-profile assignment. Unfortunately, some doors are better left unopened because her new target turns out to be her husband, Brian. Which raises a few questions.

Who is Nadia's husband, really? What did he do to warrant a death sentence? And who wants him dead?

To Nadia, this is a catastrophe because now the two worlds she has worked so hard to keep separate are about to collide. She also has to deal with what this job means for her because, despite all her claims of being incapable of feeling, one thing is clear: she loves her husband.

For a while I was so hooked, I needed answers. Then the book started to lose me a bit in the final third. Nadia is supposed to be a highly competent killer and tracker, but once Brian becomes her target, she spends far more time speculating and spiraling in her own head than actually investigating. Instead of actively trying to uncover the truth herself, she trusts third party information and shows us how gullible she really is. For a character who is portrayed as intelligent, calculating, and ruthlessly efficient, some of her decisions felt inconsistent. It feels like she was stripped of her "cool badge" for absolutely no reason, and it made the plot lose some of its coherence for me.

The ending makes sense and at the same time it doesn’t. Unconditional love is all good and fine, I just think Nadia is too volatile. She’s a bomb waiting to go off and one day she’s going to blow everyone’s head off. Literally.

There has to be a name for how I’m feeling right now, I just don’t know it. If I had to explain it, I would use the words: entertained, a bit underwhelmed, with a lot of side-eye and a dash of DA HELL?

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stand by for a fun thriller!
Nadia is a full time wife and mother… and a part time assassin!
Betcha’ didn’t see that coming did you!?
But shhh!🤫 She keeps that little secret all to herself. Her husband doesn’t even have a clue.

To be clear, Nadia doesn’t go around randomly killing just anyone. Her handler gives her assignments to kill specific people. Individuals who…well, quite frankly deserve it!💁🏼‍♀️ They are bad people!😉
But Nadia isn’t satisfied with the jobs she’s been given. She wants to be assigned to a bigger, more high value kill. (You go girl!).

Careful what you wish for! Because once you accept the job…there’s no turning back!

This was fun! Every once in a while I enjoy a light thriller. Nothing dark. One that doesn’t take itself too seriously. A popcorn thriller! 🍿

This fit the bill perfectly. Loved Nadia as she battled her inner-self in only the way a sociopath can do!

Thank you Jayme for the book recommendation🙌

✍️ Jessica Payne
📄 304 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: June 16 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller-lite, humor

Thank you Berkley Publishing via NetGalley

[Michelle (Murder Books and Wine) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since a book had me furiously turning pages, unable to put down for 4 straight hours until Somebody Worth Killing! There is something about a badass female assaisin who pretends to be an everyday mom and wife that is just so fun to read! Meet Nadia, a 30 something, married to Brian, a management consultant, living in Texas with two children, Evie and Eliza who pretends to be a wedding planner. Let's just say she has no clue how to plan any kind of party much less a wedding! But she does know how to plan out her next kill!

My favorite quote:
"It's a wonder stay-at-home moms don't start killing people out of monotony or lack of adult conversation. I have to leave out all the interesing bits like "I got a new gun, and it's so cool!" ~Nadia

Nadia is a psychopath who craves killing people and she fights "her" every day while trying to be a good mom and good person. But the monster inside of her is always there and always wanting to kill. Nadia is bored with her recent assignments and asks her handler John, to give her some "big jobs". Be careful what you ask for, isn't that what they say?

She gets her first "big job" and is so excited to find out who her mark is, until she starts following them one day and notices that she recognizes this person. It's her husband, Brian. Uh, oh! :0

Who did she marry? What has he done? How can she kill the father of her children? Does she do it?

This story seems like it's going to take you in one direction and then bam! The author adds a few twists and it's a cat and mouse chase until the end! And I have to add that there are some fun side characters too like Grandma Betty. Ifykyk ;)

If you like Mr. And Mrs. Smith, Dexter, or Role Play, you will enjoy this story!

Do you have to suspend some amount of disbelief? Duh! She's a hired assaisain, this isn't real life, but it IS super fun and entertaining to read!!!

And good news, the author has already said that book #2 will be out next year!

I give this 4.5 stars rounded up!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dexter meets Good Girls. Such a great time! If you’re looking for something to get you out of a reading slump, look no further.

[Liralen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nadia is good at what she does. Officially, that's wedding planning—but unofficially? She takes the bad guys down. Violently. And if if just so happens that this aligns with her need for destruction, well, at least it's for a good cause. There's just one problem: She's pretty sure she's been mommy-tracked...and when she demands a bigger job, the target turns out to be none other than her husband.

The Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes are real in this one, and I am here for it. It's quite distinct, not to fear, but it's playful and fast-moving and, frankly, who hasn't wanted a secret room hidden inside their closet? Nadia also makes for a fascinating main character: She doesn't experience the world the same way most people around her do, not the world or emotions or relationships. That doesn't mean that she doesn't have emotions or relationships, or that they aren't healthy...but it informs the way she sees the world and the way she interacts with it.

Honestly, I'd be delighted if this became a series. No spoilers, but much of the book is about Nadia figuring out who her husband is—it becomes clear early on that he is not in fact who he says he is, any more than she is—but what she ultimately finds out has major implications for her actions throughout the book, as well as anything that might happen in any theoretical books. There are so many directions this could go in, and quite a lot of characters who could provide fodder for future books.

Very good fun—if you're into a bit of tongue-and-cheek assassin action, this is very much a book for you.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

[Melissa (So Behind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually pretty good! Set up for a sequel. RTC

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can*]

Won via goodreads giveaways , all my opinions are my own.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

DNF, eh not for me.. this should have been a shorter book or a novella.

Someone will probably end up making this a movie 🎬 is my guess.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 4.25 stars. Narration 4.5 stars
I couldn’t be more shocked that I ended up really liking this book. Seriously, I’d read good reviews so I thought I’d try it as I could always DNF it but I never thought about doing that at any point. It was a really quick listen that I could barely quit listening to. And more importantly, I was on the edge of my seat more than I ever thought possible.

Everything you ever wondered about psychopaths is pretty much explained in this listen about a woman that’s a wife and mother of two under five years old. She’s also a psychopath that can only keep her monster at bay by killing about once a month and only proven bad guys. When she asks for a bigger hit, she receives her next case only to find out it’s her own husband. She’s shocked and must figure out what her husband could possibly be doing to qualify for a hit being taken out on him.

I can’t say much more due to spoilers and even what I’ve said is pretty much covered in the blurb. Other than the fact the main character is an assassin, I kind of liked her as a character-not that she was a good character, but she certainly was interesting to say the least. There’s also a well written bad guy and some sweet children. Her psychopath grandmother with Alzheimer’s added to the story as well. I should mention that I only watched Dexter once and never again. If you liked Dexter this might be one for you to try-with much less gore. I do think it’s definitely an adult read/listen.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to start Somebody Worth Killing. Sounded like such a fun premise.

Was this only 304 pages? It felt like a lot longer. Nadia is supposed to be some stealthy assassin, but she didn’t seem stealthy at all in any of her assignments. She got worse when the big important target she requested ends up being her husband. This is not a spoiler, it’s in the book description, so I kept waiting for this to be revealed. Had to slog through a good chunk (like 35% mark?) while Nadia does pick up and drop off of her kids, does a PTA meeting, and makes visits to various relatives. When she finally receives her assignment instead of doing a deep dive into her husband (she does a cursory internet search while shopping at Costco!), Nadia’s ruminating on so many useless things. How about figure out if he’s actually a bad guy first? I kept waiting for some solid sleuthing and big reveals.

It was clear what the bad guy's motives were, to me anyhow, yet his motives are still unclear to Nadia at the end. The story wrapped up in an unsatisfying way, setting things up for a sequel. Lots of things are not explained.

I voluntarily read a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second book by Jessica Payne and I loved it.

It's crazy. It's good. It's crazy good! I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. Short snappy chapters propelled me forward. It was so entertaining.

I also loved the title and how it connected to the story! Quite creative.

Jessica Payne is a must read author and I am excited to tackle her backlist.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

To most people Nadia Davis looks like the typical suburban mom dropping her kids off at the drop-off line of their private school and then doing a Costco run in her Lululemon attire.
Behind her cover as a wedding consultant, she’s actually an assassin.
Unlike most assassins, she won’t just kill anyone.
She prides herself on her “morals” and will only kill particularly bad people (i.e. those who kill or cause some sort of serious harm to innocent people).

Despite killing people for a living (and satisfying an urge to kill that she’s had for her entire life), Nadia is a likable person.
In her line of work you don’t really have friends, but she definitely loves her husband, daughters and siblings.
She also has a particular special love for her grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s and only recognizes Nadia about half of the time.

Her husband Brian has a job as a management consultant and when someone asks Nadia what he does, as she tries to describe his job she realizes that she doesn’t really know what he does aside from wearing suits to work in an office building and regularly traveling on business trips.

This is a book where nothing is quite the way it appears and everyone has a secret or two.
I definitely had memories of watching Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in Mr. And Mrs. Smith as I read certain parts of this book.

I also love the cover of this book that perfect reflects Nadia’s “don’t F with me” personality.

This was a fun read and nearly every fairly short chapter ending in a way that made you want to continue on to the next.
Had I not been busy with other things in life I could have finished this in a day or two.
This would be a great start to a series, or is at least a primed for a sequel based on how it ends.
I definitely recommend this as an entertaining suburban thrillerish type read or for anyone who enjoys cat-and-mouse games.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for proving me with an ARC to review.

Pub Date: June 16, 2026 (which makes this a great beach read!)

[Lisa Kusel]

Kindled. Thank you, NetGalley, for the advance read.

A fun popcorn thriller that helped distract me from the woes of the world. Much of the plotline was hard to swallow on a rational level, and the ending was so abrupt I thought my kindle was broken, but the mc's voice was sharp, strong, and snarky enough to keep me flipping pages.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somebody Worth Killing
By: Jessica Payne
Pub Date: June 16, 2026
Publisher: Berkley

I love all of Payne’s books, BUT this is my new FAVORITE!

This novel is based in Texas, which I loved because I recognized/loved the setting.

A couple who has secrets and they are CRAZY! The mom Naida is a mom by day and a secret assassin the rest of the time. She claims to only kill bad guys, but one day she gets hired to take care of someone she knows.

Her husband is the target! What the HECK! How can she do this? Her husband is a great person and is kind. She LOVES him, but when she hears something out of character, SHE has to PROVE he is NOT a good guy! She won’t carry out this unless she can prove he is not who she thinks he is.

He has his own secrets, and let me tell you I was completely stumped with who he truly was. I would love to see these characters again, HINT HINT Payne!

[Cindy(groundedinreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nadia has created the appearance that she is an average working mom by volunteering at her children’s school and running her own business. But in the shadows, she’s a hired assassin! When she gets an offer on a big hit, she re-evaluates everything! The target doesn’t fit her criteria of only eliminating BAD people and soon discovers that she’s not the only one keeping secrets. Nadia’s passion for her job as well as her family shines through in this suspenseful thriller! I really enjoyed the fast pace and how Nadia craved for a balance of work and family. She’s a witty character and I would love this turn into a series!

[♥ Sandi ❣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars Thanks to BookBrowse for sending me this ARC and NetGalley for the download. Publishes on June 16, 2026

I enjoyed this book more than I ever thought I would. The protagonist quietly and quickly grows on you. A wife, a mom, works with the PTA, visits her Gramma in a nursing home, and all the while hides the fact that she is an assassin. Worried that she has been 'mommy-tracked' - Nadia requests a 'big' job and once she gets it her troubles really begin!

This book could very easily be the beginning of a great series. The one downfall I found was the ending. I thought it was weak and seems to be rather abrupt in comparison to the rest of the story. Some of the story details were not fully fleshed out in the end, in my opinion, more just noted in passing.

[Hot Mess Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Somebody Worth Killing” had my attention from start to finish. Just when I thought I had it all figured out—and felt a flicker of disappointment—the story pivoted and proved me completely wrong. The plot is tightly woven with rich, layered characters, and the suspense builds to twists that truly deliver. Jessica Payne crafts a gripping thriller that will leave you craving more. 🔥📖

Thank you to Jessica Payne, Thriller Lovers The Pulse, Berkley Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read before publication day.

[Kelly Veit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a departure from my usual dark psychological thriller. It’s more of a popcorn thriller that could possibly turn into series. So for me, it was just okay. I felt the characters were a bit undeveloped. I would have liked to known more about the monster within Nadia that compels her to kill. Also, the relationship between Nadia and Brian felt superficial and left me wanting more.

The pacing is gradual and picks up quickly in the end. I didn’t love the way it wrapped up, making space for a sequel or series. If you love cozy mysteries or popcorn thrillers, this one may be for you. It gives Finlay Donovan vibes, so read this one if you enjoyed that series!

✨Thanks to Berkley via NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

[ambersometimesreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

now THIS is how you write a thriller!!! I love reading about badass women kicking peoples asses 👊🏻

this follows nadia, a pta mom by day and assassin by night (or sometimes day). no one in her life knows this is her side hustle, not even her husband. this man is completely unaware that she has a hidden assassin lair in her office closet.

the plot twist of the task she gets assigned had me spiraling and fully supporting women’s wrongs. I didn’t know who I could trust and that’s my favorite feeling in a thriller!!

I would LOVE to see this become a movie 🗣️

[Brittany Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll start by saying that if Jessica Payne writes it, I’ll be reading it. And this one is probably one of my favorites! Totally unlike so many thrillers about assassins because she’s a MOM, which puts a whole new spin on things and sits right with my mom heart. Expectations of mothers is different than that of dads, usually being the default parent. I get that and feel that deep in my bones. But this mom is a little different, because after the kids and husband go to bed, she’s out there killing bad guys. Being a psychopath and a mother really makes for an interesting story. But when she asks for bigger jobs after being turned down for so many because she’s a mom, nobody could foresee the contract that was waiting for her. From there, the story just gets better, twistier, and more exciting! By the end of the book, I couldn’t even put it down to make my kids dinner because I just had to keep reading to see who really put the contract out!? This book is action packed and keeps the reader totally enthralled until the last page. It’s perfect for any thriller lover out there and especially for the moms!

Thank you to Jessica Payne, Berkley Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Lisa Leone-campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the world of the coolest assassin ever! She's smart, funny, can multi-task, and oh, she's married, with two little girls and belongs to the PTO club. I said she was able to multi-task! Somebody Worth Killing is a seriously hilarious, smart story with thrills that will give you chills, about a normal mom and wife who adores her family but has a secret. Her passion in life is killing people who have done something wrong, like stolen from the elderly, or scrimps on medications to people who really need it, etc. Of course, no one knows what she really does for a living, except her handler, and another assassin, a male who have known each other for years. But when she decides she wants a job more like what the men get, with way more money well, be careful what you wish for!

Nadia Davis is a suburban mom happily married to Brian who is a management consultant. But, when her family goes to bed, she opens up a secret room in the bouse and becomes "the assassin". And she's very good at her job. Ever since in high school when she discovered her sister was being abused by her boyfriend and she well, made sure he could never do that to anyone again, the urge has never left. Is she a psychopath? Probably. But the apple does not fall far from the tree...she and her grandmother seem to think alike.

But after her latest kill she is talking to her male assassin friend only to discover that some of the men assassins are paid much better than she. What? So, she places a call to her handler and through very secret channels gets a hit on someone. Now she's really in the big leagues! Although from the start this hit is different. She must figure out a poem in order to find the bad guy. Wow he must be really terrible!

Then she finally figures out where he is and when she sees him as he is getting out of the car with another woman and she's all set to do her job he moves a certain way and... oh dear God...it's her husband! This is impossible! Brian has a nine to five job. Yes, sometimes he travels, like he is supposed to be right now, but seriously?

So now, Nadia must figure out why Brian has a hit on him and what on earth bad things he has been doing. In the process she must evaluate the situation, her life as she knows it and her life if and when she has to kill her husband.

Somebody Worth Killing is such a fun read with wonderful twists and turns. Yes, there is an intensity, but the story is filled with so much mystery, surprise and shockingly a whole lot of love!

Thank you #NetGalley #Berkley #SomebodyWorthKilling #JessicaPayne for the advanced copy.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Jessica Payne writes a new thriller, sign me up!!! I loved the last one she wrote in 2024, Never Trust a Husband and I gave it 5 stars. This latest thriller had me racing towards the end and boy oh boy what a thrill that was! I was not expecting that ending at all - Jessica is sneaky like that! Loved ALL the characters in the book and loved that a woman could be an assassin. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

[Morgan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Berkeley Publishing and Jessica Payne for sending me this copy in return for an honest review!

There are certain books that hook you from the very beginning and you know you have to finish it as soon as possible. That was Somebody Worth Killing. This is the type of book that makes you root for the “villain.” I mean in what world are you hoping an assassin gets a happy ending?? Apparently in this book! This was like the grown up version of Agent Cody Banks mixed with Mr. And Mrs. Smith!

[gottalottie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was so poorly written, lots of showing not telling, very repetitive, you see the premise from the blurb? The entire book is her speculating why her husband would be a target and talking about the monster inside her that needs to kill and reemphasizes that she’s a psychopath. It was so dumb. One point she kept talking about the monster and I fast forwarded a little and she was still talking about it! I felt embarrassed to be listening to it. Honestly this could’ve been a 50 page short story written by a middle schooler. Lots of little boring interactions that serve no purpose. And then on top of that, so many things didn’t make sense about the actual plot. all these bad things were obvious from the beginning, I should’ve DNFed

[Jessa Layne • readwithjessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somebody Worth Killing follows Nadia Davis, a loving wife and mom of two who secretly works as a hired assassin targeting certified bad guys. When her agency starts giving her smaller assignments, Nadia demands a bigger job, only to discover that her next target is the last person she ever expected. As she questions whether her entire marriage has been a lie, Nadia must decide between the career she loves and the family she thought she knew. I flew through this book and loved every minute of it. It was such a fun read and felt like Mr. and Mrs. Smith meets Dexter in the best ways. I loved how the author explored the chaos of balancing life as a contract assassin with being a mom of two young kids. There were great twists, family moments, things I did not see coming, and plenty of laughs along the way. I really hope this turns into a series!

Thank you to ThrillerBookLoversThePulse and Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

I don’t say this often, but I was genuinely disappointed when I reached the final chapter because I wasn’t ready to leave these characters behind. I absolutely loved Somebody Worth Killing and didn’t want it to end.

My first Jessica Payne book was her debut psychological thriller, Make Me Disappear, which I read back in 2023 and was completely absorbed by. I quickly followed it up with The Lucky One, which was equally thrilling. It’s been a minute since I’ve picked up one of her books, and after finishing this one, I’m wondering why I haven’t read her other two yet. Since this had just been released, I decided to start it on release day, and I’m so happy I did.

I loved the humor, the relatable main character, and the overall premise. While I’ve read a somewhat similar plot before, Payne’s signature voice and wit made this one feel fresh and stand out from the crowd. There was something so intriguingly satisfying about watching Nadia balance her secret life as an assassin while simultaneously navigating the everyday chaos of motherhood.

I chose the audiobook and couldn’t be happier with that decision. Patti Murin was fabulous and captured Nadia’s personality perfectly. If you’re an audiobook listener, this is one you’ll definitely want to add to your TBL.

I could easily go on and on about this one, but I’ll spare you the lengthy review and simply say that the ending delivered a couple of unexpected twists that left me completely satisfied. By the time I finished, I was reminded exactly why I enjoy Jessica Payne’s storytelling so much. This was another wildly entertaining read from her, and I can’t wait to dive into the books I’ve missed.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ If you like a thriller with a healthy dose of dark humor, a strong female leads, an entertaining cast of characters, and surprise twists, then you’re in luck, because Somebody Worth Killing has it all and then some. I’m not a parent, nor am I an assassin - really, I have virtually nothing in common with her- but I found Nadia a delightfully complex character. She had a very specific approach to morality that added an extra layer to a funny, unhinged, twisty story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thanks to Jessica Payne and Berkley for the gifted ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a 3.5 for me.

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somebody Worth Killing by Jessica Payne (2026)
10h 15m narrated by Patti Murin, 304 pages

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Dark Humor

Rating as a movie: R

Featuring: Assassin, San Antonio, Texas; Mother, Sisters, Family Dynamics, Marital Conflict, Dog - Australian Shepherd, Serial Killer, Grandma, Surveillance, Dementia, Work Trips

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🇨🇱🥷👨‍👩‍👧‍👧

My thoughts: Everybody has been talking about Somebody Worth Killing, so I was incredibly excited to finally grab my copy. I loved that the story is set in San Antonio, Texas—though I highly suggest popping a chocolate in your mouth every time you see or hear "Texas."
My biggest gripe with the setting was the lack of local authenticity. At one point, the protagonist is driving on I-35 toward Austin and mentions "the water park between the two cities." You mean Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels; you could have just said that! The decision to leave out proper names for landmarks and local restaurants completely pulled me out of the story, making it feel detached from the real city it claimed to represent.
While the story itself was decent, I never found myself truly glued to it. I constantly had to remind myself to turn my audiobook back on. Once the main plot fully kicked in, the narrative got old really fast and I had a hard time staying awake. I actually had to backtrack and repeat chapters multiple times because I kept drifting off.
The biggest flaw for me—aside from the vague geography—is that Nadia frankly sucks at her job. The book opens with her looking like a total badass assassin on assignment. However, she is so easily and frequently distracted by her sister (who inexplicably doubles as her babysitter during hits) that she finishes her assignments by the absolute skin of her teeth. While her constant carelessness made for some genuinely humorous moments, it made it incredibly hard to believe she was a highly skilled professional. Ultimately, the very elements that made the story entertaining were the exact reasons it lost a star.
Because the book featured a great opening and a strong ending, I will definitely read more from this author in the future. I just didn't get the five-star high I was expecting from all the hype.

Recommend to others: Yes, especially if you enjoyed Finlay Donovan Is Killing It.


Songs for the soundtrack: "Mastermind" by Taylor Swift, "Confident" by Demi Lovato

Books and Authors mentioned: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, Bonnie and Clyde by David Newman and Robert Benton, Go Down Together: The True, Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde by Jeff Guinn; Bonnie and Clyde by David Newman and Robert Benton, Edgar Allan Poe, The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman

Memorable Quotes: If it weren’t for the fire ants crawling up my leg, I would be thoroughly enjoying the evening. It’s another steamy Texas night, the wind scented with oncoming rain, and I’m tucked in the crook of a sprawling oak tree in the backyard of a multimillionaire’s estate. He doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going to kill him.

“What?” I snap at my sister, annoyed at the interruption. I peek through the scope, but my target has wandered off, out of the kitchen. I swivel the gun, tracking him into his dining room, where he proudly looks out at his lawn, one I’ll bet he’s never lifted a finger to tend. I try not to fidget with impatience. The last thing I need is to fall out of this damn tree. “I know you’re working, but listen, Eliza just threw up again. That’s the third time. I’m worried.” My sister’s voice yanks me from the moment, like I’m surfacing from a fever dream. Follow-up questions about my daughter’s symptoms come to mind, but I swallow them back. I’m working. I can’t do this right now. “I’m at a—a wedding rehearsal. With a bridezilla,” I say. My mark steps away from the window, out of view. “Fuck.” “I thought you were at an actual wedding, and that’s why you couldn’t stay home with your sick kid? Wait, are you allowed to say ‘fuck’ at a wedding?” I pause, trying to remember what I’d told Piper over the phone as I’d pleaded with her to come watch my daughters. “No, it’s a wedding rehearsal. Who gets married on a Monday night?” “I don’t know, I’ve never been married. Can you come home, or what?” “Did you try calling Brian?” I barely keep the frustration out of my voice—my big sister is a lifesaver, but I can’t get a job done without her calling, peppering me with questions. She doesn’t have kids—never wanted them—and makes for a wonderful aunt. But she’s also terrified of screwing up. Little does she know, moms do screw up, constantly, and I’m a prime example of that. “Um, well, I mean, you’re the mom.” And he’s the dad! The tree trunk digs into my scalp as I lean my head against it and squeeze my eyes shut. “She’s fine,” I say. This is one of those situations when a parent would give the kid a Popsicle and send them to bed, but Piper will worry herself sick, because to her, children are basically foreign beings that are utterly fragile and often disgusting. She’s not wrong about that second part. “I think she’s dehydrated.” Piper’s voice is high, fast. In the background, my five-year-old’s baby voice—not her normal voice—calls for her mommy. That would be me; they both always want me. I just have to wait until they’re older, then Piper will be the fun aunt, the one who lets them try a sip of her wine. Or, you know, pours them their own glass. “She’s—” My hand clenches around the rifle stock. Piper is helping me, doing me a favor. I have to be nice; that’s how people treat those who do them favors. “Okay, I’ll run by the store and grab some Pedialyte.” And wine. “I’ll be there soon, okay?” We disconnect.